SANDRA (Dutch, 17th Century)
Numerous Ships in a Dutch Harbor
signed Sandra in the lower right
oil on canvas
18 ¼ x 21 ½ inches (47.5 x 55.5 cm)
THE 17TH CENTURY STARE DOWN
Much has been researched and written about Maritime art. Sea battles beautifully executed showing naval super powers in violent clashes on rough seas. These pictures are often highly sought after and proudly displayed in National Museums across many countries, conquering nations baring their teeth for the world to see. However, in the mid 1600’s a new, different kind of maritime painting emerged in The Netherlands, one that became just as popular as the more intense scenes. This style was not full of ferocious seas and explosive encounters, but of ships standing tall in calm harbors. What was the subdued, pensive message these pictures of Dutch harbors were trying to convey?
By 1600 Dutch shipbuilders dominated the European market, selling their boats to buyers from Riga to Venice. The sailing ship in general service was the Dutch fluyt, a long, relatively narrow ship designed to carry as much cargo as possible. The fluyt featured three masts and a large hold beneath a single deck. This design to maximise cargo and thus economic benefit quickly started paying off.
European exploration in the East brought exotic goods, while the West brought a whole new world, each with their own set of challenges and rewards. The European monarchs set out to conquer the world with their naval fleets, grabbing land where they could. However, the citizens of the Dutch republic had a different style, focused more on financial gains rather than traditional colonization.
The Dutch were not explorers in the same sense as other European nations. Unlike England, Portugal, and Spain, the Dutch had no real interest in claiming lands for a Dutch crown, but were clever and pragmatic businessmen. This was a republic in the midst of monarchies and their actions reflected as much. Aims in colonizing new territories were primarily commercial: maximize revenue / minimize financial risk. They were doing things differently. This is not to say that every single Dutch move was carefully considered and weighed, but in general the Dutch sailed for profit and not for glory.
The Netherlands’ focus on commerce led to huge revenues that poured into the economy and government coffers. In a short period of time The Netherlands was one of the wealthiest nations in Europe. Besides carrying cargo for most European nations, the Dutch also imported raw materials, turned them into finished goods and then exported them at a tidy profit. These key roles in trade helped make Amsterdam a financial center, only further adding to the country’s income.
All of these monetary gains enabled the Dutch to fortify their borders, hire foreign mercenaries and build an impressive navy to help with national defence. For a time, the Dutch navy was the world's most powerful, and there is little doubt that none of this would have been possible without the steady stream of revenue from Dutch trade. However, The Netherlands was still a relatively small country and did not really have the military muscle to completely dominate the global political landscape. That said, their entry into a fight was enough to tip the outcome of most conflicts, giving them political influence far beyond their diminutive land and population size.
So, why were these serene harbor scenes of tall ships popular? These weren’t showing the Dutch navy fighting for power on the sea. Given the Dutch didn’t really have a huge military, this was a way they could exert their power. The idea of showing the wealth of tall masts in calm waters sent a message of strength and supremacy without having to fire a shot, telling the world they were in charge of the seas. You could think of it like a heavy weight fighter’s pose during a stare down, flexing their muscles, unnerving their competition but never taking a swing – at least not usually!
22 September 2021
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